200+ apply to TLC school

TLC Academy got more than 200 applications Wednesday from parents who want their children to attend the new charter school, said Walt Landers, pastor of TLC Family Church.

Officials at TLC Academy, 5687 Melrose Ave., will take applications until June 15, Landers said. The school will then begin compiling its enrollment.

In November, the state Board of Education voted to approve a charter for TLC Academy in San Angelo. The TLC charter school is scheduled to open this fall after being run as a private school by TLC Family Church since 1974.

Landers said his goal is to have 550 students enrolled. If there are more applications than the goal, the enrollment will be drawn through a lottery system.

In its charter application, TLC asked for and was granted permission to use two locations. That will allow it to increase its first year enrollment over the original projection of about 250 students, Landers said.

TLC's private school has about 180 students, including 88 pre-kindergartners. TLC owns another building at 126 S. Jackson St., which Landers said will be used as the sixth- through 12th-grade campus if the school meets its enrollment numbers.

"Getting two campuses was part of the miracle," Landers said. "Normally, (the Texas Education Agency) doesn't allow but one location. We were advised of that, but we applied (for two) anyway."

The school will take applications from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday. After that, it will take applications from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.